Method of and apparatus for producing uninterruptible power

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for producing uninterruptible power according to the present invention comprises a hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system. No batteries are needed in the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention apparatus for producing uninterruptible power according to the present invention includes a high-speed flywheel; and a single hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system. In another embodiment of the present invention apparatus for producing uninterruptible power according to the present invention includes two hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systems operating in parallel. In this embodiment both hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systems include a sonic nozzle for ensuring that the pressure in the boiler of the hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system operates at relatively high pressure. Furthermore in this embodiment one hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system includes a control valve for opening and closing in accordance with the output of the generator of the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system. In addition, here the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system also includes a control valve for opening and closing in accordance with the output of the generator of the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system. In this embodiment, the relatively high pressure of the boiler is suitable for producing full power output from the organic Rankine cycle turbine included in said hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for producingpower, and more particularly, to a method of and apparatus for producinguninterruptible power for communication systems such as communicationsystems that are also located in urban areas or in the vicinity of townsand also only stand alone systems.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] In systems provided for providing uninterruptible powerparticularly for communication systems several options have beenavailable: photovoltaic systems, thermoelectric generators (TEG) ororganic Rankine cycle energy converters (OEC). In addition,uninterruptible power sources (UPS) for short time periods as well asUPS's and diesel generators for long time use or diesel generators and aflywheel system.

[0005] In photovoltaic systems, batteries are used to compensate for thehours/days without solar radiation. Usually, the batteries are verylarge and, in most cases, the choice is for Nickel-Cadmium batteries.The reason is that the photovoltaic systems require batteries to work ondeep discharge cycles, for which the Ni-Cad batteries are much betteradapted than Lead Acid batteries. The problems are—very high cost forbatteries and the need for maintenance of the batteries. In any case, ina 20-year project, the Ni-Cad batteries have to be replaced at leastonce. In telecommunication systems powered by photovoltaic cells needalways batteries.

[0006] As far as thermoelectric generators (TEG) are concerned, sincetelecommunication equipment operates at varying load, and the TEG arecontinuously delivering full rated power, batteries are necessary forcorrecting the supply of power to the equipment. Moreover, the TEGrequires use of dummy loads for dissipating the surplus of powerdelivered and not used by the telecommunications equipment. As TEGcannot trickle charge the batteries, additional battery chargers arerequired. If not, the battery will not be properly charged, and willrequire additional maintenance and manual charging during maintenanceand the lifetime will decrease. The telecommunication systems powered byTEG always need batteries.

[0007] Turning to organic Rankine cycle energy converters (OEC), sincethey operate at varying load, they can trickle charge the batteries andthus increase their lifetime. In telecommunication systems, the OECs canbe used in hot standby configuration. If one OEC fails, the second willdeliver the full station load. The transient period until the second OECwill deliver the full load is of a few minutes (up to about 20-50minutes) and could be reduced by either adding a very small standardbattery to OECs to deliver a few AH during the transient period,

[0008] In a related system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,589, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, a hybrid powerplant is disclosed that includes an intermittently operable non-fuelconsuming power generator, such as a photovoltaic cell array, or a windgenerator, connected through a control-circuit to a battery for changingthe same and for supplying current to a time-wise, substantiallyconstant, electrical load. In addition, this hybrid power plant includesan electric generator connected to an intermittently operable primemover, such as a Rankine cycle organic vapor turbogenerator, forcharging the battery and supplying current to the electrical load whenthe prime mover is operated, and a sensor for sensing at least oneelectrical parameter of the power plant. With such an arrangement, theprime mover is operable only when the power generator is not operating.

[0009] Batteries are used in all the telecommunication projects toprovide DC power to the telecom equipment and the reliability andavailability of the system depends strongly on the batterycharacteristics.

[0010] The batteries have a limited lifetime and if not properly chargedand maintained they have to be replaced a few times during the life of aproject estimated as 20-25 years.

[0011] In addition, the battery condition cannot be correctly assessed,and it will normally fail without any kind of advance notice, thuscausing shut down of the stations. Moreover, the battery fails when theyare actually needed so that, when there is an electric grid poweroutage, the diesel generator fails when it is attempted to start itconsequently causing the battery, UPS and diesel generator not toprovide power.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anew and improved method of and apparatus for providing uninterruptiblepower wherein the disadvantages as outlined are reduced or substantiallyovercome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Apparatus for producing uninterruptible power according to thepresent invention comprises a hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbinesystem. No batteries are needed in the present invention. In oneembodiment of the present invention apparatus for producinguninterruptible power according to the present invention includes ahigh-speed flywheel; and a single hot standby organic Rankine cycleturbine system. In another embodiment of the present invention apparatusfor producing uninterruptible power according to the present inventionincludes two hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systems operatingin parallel. In this embodiment both hot standby organic Rankine cycleturbine systems include a sonic nozzle for ensuring that the pressure inthe boiler of the hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systemoperates at relatively high pressure. Furthermore in this embodiment onehot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system includes a controlvalve for opening and closing in accordance with the output of thegenerator of the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system.In addition, here the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbinesystem also includes a control valve for opening and closing inaccordance with the output of the generator of the other hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine system. In this embodiment, the relativelyhigh pressure of the boiler is suitable for producing full power outputfrom the organic Rankine cycle turbine included in said hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine system.

[0014] Furthermore in the embodiment of the present invention includinga high-speed flywheel a motor is included for rotating the turbine whenelectric power is available from the electric grid. This embodiment alsoincludes a heater comprising a burner for combusting fuel. In addition,the present embodiment includes an electric heater for heating to liquidorganic working fluid when electric power is available from the electricgrid. Moreover, in the present embodiment a three-way valve is includedfor supplying, when electric power is available from the electric grid,sufficient organic working fluid vapor for operation of the turbinebearings only.

[0015] In addition, the present invention includes a method forproducing uninterruptible power and comprises the step of providing ahot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system for producinguninterruptible power. In one embodiment of the method for producinguninterruptible power a high-speed flywheel is provided; and a hotstandby organic Rankine cycle turbine system that produces power isprovided. In a further embodiment of the method for producinguninterruptible power by providing a hot standby organic Rankine cycleturbine system two hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systemsoperating in parallel are provided. In this embodiment, relatively highpressure is maintained in the boiler of the hot standby organic Rankinecycle turbine system by using a sonic nozzle for supplying organicworking fluid vapor to the organic turbine. Furthermore, in the presentembodiment, a control valve is provided for supplying further workingfluid vapor from the boiler to the organic turbine in response to asignal from the output of the generator of the other hot standby turbinewhen the output falls below a certain threshold such that the output ofthe first hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine is substantiallyfull power. In addition, in this embodiment relatively high pressure ismaintained in the boiler of the other hot standby organic Rankine cycleturbine system by also using a sonic nozzle for supplying organicworking fluid vapor to the organic turbine of the other hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine system. Moreover, in the presentembodiment a control valve is provided for supplying further workingfluid vapor from the boiler to the organic turbine contained in theother hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system in response to asignal from the output of the generator of the first hot standby turbinewhen the output falls below a certain threshold such that the output ofthe other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine is substantiallyfull power. Additionally, in this embodiment, the relatively highpressure maintained in the boiler of the hot standby organic Rankinecycle turbine system is such that the relatively high pressure of theboiler is suitable for producing full power output from the organicRankine cycle turbine included in said hot standby organic Rankine cycleturbine system.

[0016] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the method for producinguninterruptible power in which a high-speed flywheel; and a hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine system that produces power are provided,an electric motor is operated for rotating the turbine when electricpower is available from the electric grid. In this embodiment,sufficient organic working fluid vapor is supplied to the condenser forsupplying organic working fluid condensate only to the bearings of theturbine when electric power is available from the electric grid. Inaddition, in the present embodiment, an electric heater is operated whenelectric power is available from the electric grid that heats theorganic working fluid liquid present in a boiler such that sufficientorganic working fluid vapor is produced for supplying organic workingfluid condensate from the condenser only to the bearings of the turbine.Furthermore, in this embodiment, power is supplied to the electric gridusing the high-speed flywheel when electric power is not available fromthe power grid. Moreover, in accordance with the present embodiment,organic working fluid vapor is supplied only to the nozzles of theturbine and the turbine is rotated using heat stored in the heatedworking fluid present in the boiler of the hot standby organic Rankinecycle turbine system when electric power is not available from the powergrid. In addition, a burner for heating the organic working fluid liquidpresent in said boiler is switched on when electric power is notavailable from the power grid. Additionally, the electric heater isswitched off when electric power is not available from the power grid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are described by way ofexample, and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of apparatus typical of the priorart;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a modification of the embodimentof the present invention shown in FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a further modification of theembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0023] Like reference numerals and designations in the various drawingsrefer to like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 designates atypical power producing station having a pair of organic Rankine cycleturbine systems 20 and 50. In this system, both organic Rankine cycleturbine systems are provided and operate at half power or half load inorder to provide extra reliability to the system. Thus, if, e.g.,maintenance needs to be carried out to one of the systems 20 or 50, theother system can remain operating at full power or full load thuspermitting the station to continue operating at full load capacity.Battery or batteries 40 are provided to permit the transfer fromoperation with both systems 20 and 50 operating to the operation of onesystem, system 20 or 50, with full load capacity still being maintainedat the station.

[0025] As far as FIG. 2 is concerned, power unit system 10A is providedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention for providinguninterruptible power and includes high-speed flywheel 20A and singlehot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system 50A. In the presentembodiment, hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system 50Aincludes electric motor 52A for rotating the turbine when electric poweris available from the electric grid. This embodiment also includesboiler 53A and heater 51A comprising e.g. a burner for combusting fuel.In addition, the present embodiment includes electric heater 54A forheating the liquid organic working fluid in the boiler when electricpower is available from the electric grid. Moreover, in the presentembodiment, three-way valve 55A is included that enables the supply,when electric power is available from the electric grid, of sufficientorganic working fluid vapor only for operation of the bearings 56A ofturbine 57A.

[0026] In operation, when the electric grid is supplying electric power,electric motor 52A rotates turbine wheel 58A of turbine 57A via inverter75A that receives DC (bas) from uninterruptible power source (UPS) 80A.Three-way valve 55A receives sufficient organic working fluid vapor fromboiler 53A, heated by electric heater 54A, for supplying fluid only tobearings 56A. Heater, i.e. burner, 51A is not operated and flap 68A ismaintained in a closed state by actuator 69A. Thus, three-way valve 55Asupplies organic working fluid vapor from boiler 53A via bleed conduit58A to exhaust block 59A. These vapors are then supplied via conduit 61Ato condenser 62A where they are cooled producing organic working fluidcondensate. This condensate is supplied via conduit 63A, header 64A andconduits 65A and 66A to bearings 56A. Condensate exiting the bearings issupplied via pump 67A, e.g. a pitot pump, to a small reservoir fromwhere it is returned to bearings 56A. Electric heater 54A continues tosupply heat to organic working fluid in boiler 53A for compensating forfluid finding its way back to boiler 53A.

[0027] When the electric grid does not supply electric power, powerstored in flywheel 20A permits power unit 10A to continue to supplyelectric power even though no electric power is supplied to electricmotor 52A from the electric grid. Three-way valve 55A is switched bycontrol unit 85A, which senses the state of the line power, in orderthat organic working fluid vapor is supplied from boiler 53A via conduit71A to turbine nozzle block 70A, with the supply of vapors via conduit58A to exhaust block 59A being shut. Consequently, power is now producedby the rotation of turbine wheel 58A rotated by organic working fluidvapor produced by heat stored in the hot organic working fluid presentin boiler 53A. At the same time, actuator 69A opens flap 68A and heater,i.e. burner, 51A commences operation with the receipt of a controlsignal from control unit 85A that also sends a control signal to openfuel valve 72A. In addition, control unit 85A sends a control signal toelectric heater 54A to stop operation. The rotation of turbine wheel 58Aresults in generator 73A producing electric power that can be suppliedto the electric grid.

[0028] When electric power becomes available from the electric grid onceagain, control 85A senses the electric power and sends control signalsto heater, i.e. burner, 51A, to switch off, to flap 68A to open, toelectric heater 54A to switch on and to three-way valve 55A to supplyorganic working fluid vapor only to exhaust block 60A for operation ofthe bearings 56A of turbine 57A.

[0029] Turning to FIG. 3, numeral 10B designates a further embodiment ofa power unit system provided for supplying uninterruptible power inaccordance to the present invention and comprises a power unit systemvery similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2.However, in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3,motor/generator 52B is included such that when electric power isavailable at the electric grid motor/generator 52B operates as a motorfor rotating turbine 57B. On the other hand, when no electric power isavailable on the electric grid, motor/generator 52B operates as anelectric generator in order that the rotation of turbine 57B results inmotor/generator 52B producing electric power that can be supplied to theelectric grid.

[0030] As far as FIG. 4 is concerned, numeral 10C designates anadditional embodiment of the present invention for supplyinguninterruptible power in accordance to the present invention. Also here,this embodiment is similar to the embodiment described with reference toFIG. 2 and in particular to the embodiment described with reference toFIG. 3. In the present embodiment rather than using three-way valve 55Aor 55B as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively, conduit 59C feeds oneturbine nozzle out several or tens present in nozzle block 70C so that afew percent of the organic working fluid vapors are fed to turbine wheel58C via conduit 59C for rotating it.

[0031] Consequently, when electric power is available at the electricgrid, a small amount of organic working fluid vapor is supplied viaconduit 59C and one nozzle of nozzle block 70C to turbine wheel 58C forrotating the turbine wheel. As a result, there is no need in thisembodiment for an electric motor for rotating turbine wheel 58C whenelectric power is available from the electric grid. In addition, when noelectric power is available on the electric grid, control valve 86C thatreceives control signals from control unit 85C supplies organic workingfluid vapor to the rest of the nozzles in nozzle block 70C for rotatingturbine wheel 58C at full power.

[0032] In these embodiments, if preferred, turbine wheel 58A, 58B and58C can function as a flywheel such that flywheel 20A can be eliminated.Furthermore, electric generator 73A in FIG. 1 can be a synchronous,homopolar, induction or permanent magnet generator, while motor 52A canbe an induction, synchronous or permanent magnet motor.

[0033] Thus, in these embodiments, the use of flywheel 20A, 20B and 20Cor turbine wheel 58A, 58B and 58C operating as a flywheel, eliminatesthe need for using a battery or batteries.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 5, power producing station 10D is provided inaccordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention inorder that uninterruptible power can be produced at all times. OrganicRankine cycle turbine systems 20D and 50D are provided in accordancewith the present invention with sonic nozzles 22D and 52D respectivelythat permit the pressure in boilers 23D and 53D to be maintained at arelatively high pressure so that any one of systems 20D or 50D canquickly provide full power when needed. The pressure maintained inboilers 23D and 53D is substantially the pressure needed to operateeither of organic turbine 24D and 54D at full power or full loadcapacity of load 40D. Each system 20D or 50D is also provided withcontrol valve 25D and 55D respectively so that sufficient vapors can besupplied from boilers 23D and 53D to organic turbine 24D and 54D inorder that the turbines whenever required can quickly produce fullpower.

[0035] In normal operation, organic Rankine cycle turbine systems 20Dand 50D operate so that organic turbines 24D and 54D receive sufficientorganic working fluid vapors from boilers 23D and 53D respectively viasonic nozzles 22D and 52D to drive electric generators 26D and 56D inorder that each of them produce half power or half load capacity. As canbe seen from FIG. 5, heat is supplied to boilers 23D and 53D by use ofheaters 21D and 51D, for example burners, the operations of which arecontrolled by fuel valves 28D and 58D regulated by controls 30D and 60Drespectively. Expanded organic working fluid exiting each organicturbine 24D and 54D is supplied to organic working fluid condensers 27Dand 57D respectively so that organic working fluid condensate producedtherein is supplied via, for example, pump 29D or 59D, to boilers 23Dand 53D. When one of systems 20D and 50D begins to reduce its poweroutput, control line 28D or 58D senses the drop in the power output ofone of electric generators 26D or 56D and one of controls 30D or 60Dsupplies a control signal to one of control valves 25D and 55D so thatthese valves are opened. Consequently, sufficient organic working fluidis now supplied to one of organic turbines 24D and 54D so that one ofelectric generators 26D and 56D produces full power. Once the otherorganic Rankine cycle turbine system, either 20D or 50D returns to halfpower or half load capacity, line 28D or 58D senses the increase in thepower output of the respective electric generator, 26D and 56D, and thusa control signal is supplied by control 30D or 60D to the respectivecontrol valve, 25D and 55D, so that this valve is now closed ensuringthat only sufficient organic working fluid vapor is supplied to therespective organic turbine 24D and 54D in order that half power or halfload capacity is now produced by the organic turbine.

[0036] Thus, according to the embodiment of the present inventiondescribed with reference to FIG. 5, due to the pressure of high pressurein boilers 23D and 53D, no battery or batteries are needed or necessaryin the operation of this embodiment.

[0037] Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the present inventionincludes as well the method for operating the apparatus disclosed withreference to above-described figures.

[0038] It is believed that the advantages and improved results furnishedby the method and apparatus of the present invention are apparent fromthe foregoing description of the invention. Various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as described in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for producing uninterruptible powercomprising a hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system supplyinguninterruptible power without the use of a battery.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein said hot standby organic Rankine cycleturbine system includes: a) a high-speed flywheel; and b) a single hotstandby organic Rankine cycle turbine system.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systemincludes two hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systems operatingin parallel.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein both hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine systems include a sonic nozzle forensuring that the pressure in the boiler of the hot standby organicRankine cycle turbine system operates at relatively high pressure. 5.Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein one hot standby organic Rankinecycle turbine system includes a control valve for opening and closing inaccordance with the output of the generator of the other hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine system.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5wherein the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system alsoincludes a control valve for opening and closing in accordance with theoutput of the generator of the other hot standby organic Rankine cycleturbine system.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein saidrelatively high pressure of the boiler is suitable for producing fullpower output from the organic Rankine cycle turbine included in said hotstandby organic Rankine cycle turbine system.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 3 wherein one of said hot standby organic Rankine cycle systemsincludes: a) a boiler for producing vapors of organic working fluid fromheat supplied to liquid organic working fluid present in said boiler; b)a heater for supplying heat to liquid organic working fluid present insaid boiler; c) a vapor turbine for expanding said vapors of organicworking fluid and producing power and expanded organic working fluidvapor; d) a condenser for condensing said expanded working fluid vaporand producing organic working fluid condensate; and e) means forreturning said organic working fluid condensate to said boiler. 9.Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said vapor turbine is connectedto an electric generator for producing electricity.
 10. Apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein said hot standby organic Rankine cyclesystem includes: a) a boiler for producing vapors of organic workingfluid from heat supplied to liquid organic working fluid present in saidboiler; b) a heater for supplying heat to liquid organic working fluidpresent in said boiler; c) a vapor turbine for expanding said vapors oforganic working fluid and producing power and expanded organic workingfluid vapor; d) a condenser for condensing said expanded working fluidvapor and producing organic working fluid condensate; and e) means forreturning said organic working fluid condensate to said boiler. 11.Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said vapor turbine is connectedto an electric generator for producing electricity.
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 10 including a motor for rotating said turbine whenelectric power is available from the electric grid.
 13. Apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein said heater comprises a burner forcombusting fuel.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including anelectric heater for heating to liquid organic working fluid whenelectric power is available from the electric grid.
 15. Apparatusaccording to claim 10 including a three-way valve for supplying, whenelectric power is available from the electric grid, sufficient organicworking fluid vapor for operation of the turbine bearings.
 16. A methodfor producing uninterruptible power comprising the step of providing ahot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system for supplyinguninterruptible power without the use of a battery.
 17. A methodaccording to claim 16 including: a) providing a high-speed flywheel; andb) providing a hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system thatproduces power.
 18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the step ofproviding a hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system includesproviding two hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine systemsoperating in parallel.
 19. A method according to claim 18 includingmaintaining relatively high pressure in the boiler of the hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine system by using a sonic nozzle forsupplying organic working fluid vapor to the organic turbine.
 20. Amethod according to claim 19 including providing a control valve forsupplying further working fluid vapor from the boiler to the organicturbine in response to a signal from the output of the generator of theother hot standby turbine when said output falls below a certainthreshold such that the output of the first hot standby organic Rankinecycle turbine is substantially full power.
 21. A method according toclaim 19 including maintaining relatively high pressure in the boiler ofthe other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system by also usinga sonic nozzle for supplying organic working fluid vapor to the organicturbine of the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system.22. A method according to claim 21 including providing a control valvefor supplying further working fluid vapor from the boiler to the organicturbine contained in the other hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbinesystem in response to a signal from the output of the generator of thefirst hot standby turbine when said output falls below a certainthreshold such that the output of the other hot standby organic Rankinecycle turbine is substantially full power.
 23. A method according toclaim 19 wherein the step of maintaining relatively high pressure in theboiler of the hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system is suchthat the relatively high pressure of the boiler is suitable forproducing full power output from the organic Rankine cycle turbineincluded in said hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system.
 24. Amethod according to claim 18 wherein the step of including maintainingrelatively high pressure in the boiler of the hot standby organicRankine cycle turbine system by using a sonic nozzle for supplyingorganic working fluid vapor to the organic turbine, the hot standbyorganic Rankine cycle turbine system including: a) a boiler forproducing vapors of organic working fluid from heat supplied to liquidorganic working fluid present in said boiler; b) a heater for supplyingheat to liquid organic working fluid present in said boiler; c) a vaporturbine for expanding said vapors of organic working fluid and producingpower and expanded organic working fluid vapor; d) a condenser forcondensing said expanded working fluid vapor and producing organicworking fluid condensate; and e) means for returning said organicworking fluid condensate to said boiler.
 25. A method according to claim17 including operating an electric motor for rotating the turbine whenelectric power is available from the electric grid.
 26. A methodaccording to claim 17 including supplying sufficient organic workingfluid vapor to the condenser for supplying organic working fluidcondensate only to the bearings of said turbine when electric power isavailable from the electric grid.
 27. A method according to claim 17including operating an electric heater when electric power is availablefrom the electric grid that heats the organic working fluid liquidpresent in a boiler such that sufficient organic working fluid vapor isproduced for supplying organic working fluid condensate from thecondenser to the bearings of said turbine.
 28. A method according toclaim 17 including supplying power to the electric grid using thehigh-speed flywheel when electric power is not available from the powergrid.
 29. A method according to claim 26 including supplying organicworking fluid vapor only to the nozzles of said turbine and rotatingsaid turbine using heat stored in the heated working fluid present inthe boiler of the hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system whenelectric power is not available from the power grid.
 30. A methodaccording to claim 26 including switching on a burner for heating theorganic working fluid liquid present in said boiler when electric poweris not available from the power grid.
 31. A method according to claim 29including switching-off the electric heater when electric power is notavailable from the power grid.
 32. A method according to claim 18providing a hot standby organic Rankine cycle turbine system thatproduces power, the hot standby Rankine cycle system including: a) aboiler for producing vapors of organic working fluid from heat suppliedto liquid organic working fluid present in said boiler; b) a heater forsupplying heat to liquid organic working fluid present in said boiler;c) a vapor turbine for expanding said vapors of organic working fluidand producing power and expanded organic working fluid vapor; d) acondenser for condensing said expanded working fluid vapor and producingorganic working fluid condensate; and e) means for returning saidorganic working fluid condensate to said boiler.